My slogan is: different language – one connection. All of us on this planet share the same human connection. Language can be such a barrier to overcome and I consider it my responsibility to make sure all parties involved understand each other and are able to overcome this barrier. In all my assignments I am committed to bridge this barrier.
Nathalie Van Hoorebeke
PSI Interpreter
Community Interpreter
Freelancer
Home
Welcome! Bine ati venit! Welkom!
About me
I am Nathalie. I am Belgian. Born in the beautiful city of Ghent.
Languages have been a major part of my life over the last 15 years. I speak 3 languages fluently but until 3 years ago, I had never considered using these skills professionally.
After interpreting a few times voluntary for victims of Human Trafficking, working alongside Coventry Police and Hope for Justice, I realised I have both the language and people skills to interpret. That experience (and my husband) challenged me to consider using my interpreting skills in a professional way.
It was the beginning of a new professional chapter in my life.
I received my first training at Absolute Interpreting. I passed and joined the agency.
My first assignment was a DNA. I sat in this small GP practise, all excited and nervous at the same time. I did have the chance to call the patient, but she had forgotten all about her appointment. So, on my first day, there was sadly no face to face interpreting.
Gradually my confidence grew. Small and short assignments became bigger and longer.
I wasn’t satisfied with basic training, I wanted to learn and grow and become more professional.
In January 2018 I enrolled for Level 6: Diploma in Community Interpreting offered by the International School for Linguists. I received my certificate in July 2019. At times all this information and assignments seemed overwhelming but I received great support from my assessor and family.
I uphold the Code of Conduct as set out by the NRPSI.
I am committed to produce work to the highest standard, observe impartiality and confidentiality. I shall interpret truly and faithfully what is uttered, without adding, omitting or changing anything; in exceptional circumstances a summary may be given if requested.
My slogan
My strengths
I am organised, punctual, focused and will go the extra mile. I continually work on improving my language skills in both English and Romanian. I love glossaries.
My background
Almost on any assignment when I introduce myself to the client, they look at me and say: “you are not Romanian”! It is obvious in my appearance I am not and I will always have an accent.
I moved to Romania in 1997 and lived there till 2007. I worked with an international team for the first 3 years. Then I stayed on by myself to support a charity a group of us founded who worked with street youngsters and homeless people. Meanwhile I also met my amazing Romanian husband. Our eldest daughter was born in Bucharest.
When I met my husband, I already spoke fluently Romanian so even today, that is still the language we communicate in.
I look back at that decade of my life with great fondness and gratitude.
It seems that we are a family “on the move” so at the end of 2014, the four of us moved to East Birmingham. Obviously both me and my husband speak English but our girls who were 10 and 5 at the time, did not. It was a big adjustment but we received amazing support from the school and our church family.
Works
There is never a dull day in Community Interpreting.
I mainly use consecutive and simultaneous interpreting. I have also had the opportunity to facilitate whispered interpreting in specific seminars (eg diabetes, autism etc).
I have interpreted in many NHS settings: hospitals, health visiting, antenatal, vaccine clinics, dentistry, physiotherapy, fracture clinic, mental health.
Social Services
Within the social service setting I had the opportunity to be an interpreter from the beginning of a case till the end. It can mean interpreting a small meeting between just the social worker and the client or interpreting a LAC meeting with different professionals present.
I am a trained social worker and I bring this experience in my interpreting work. I think you can be empathetic and caring without losing your neutrality or impartiality.
Interpreting languages
Interpreting Specialism
Interpreting languages
I mainly interpret from English to Romanian and Romanian to English.
On a few occasions I had the chance to interpret English-Dutch, but my presence was more as a support, I didn’t have to interpret the whole conversation.
Interpreting Specialism
Face to Face interpreting
NHS
Social Work: Child Asylum and 16+ ; Family support work
Video Remote Interpreting: during Covid 19 most face to face interpreting has been cancelled and so the opportunity of Video Remote Interpreting was offered from different agencies.
Police / Prison / Court
Testimonials
Nathalie is not only an excellent interpreter but nothing is too much of an ask in regarding to appointments and help. Always professional and made working with an interpreter easy to someone who many not necessarily Bi Lingual.
Ms Sophie Harrison
Social worker, Solihull
“Excellent, one of the best” , “excellent attitude, good translation, very polite”
School of Dentistry
Birmingham
“Nathalie was excellent and made the whole thing run smoothly”.
Mr Barry Jones
Vaccination Clinic, Church in Lye
“Nathalie is always very professional, smiley and friendly. One of the best.”
Health Visitor
“very professional”
Pre-Op nurse
“excellent and very professional”
Neuro specialist nurse
“Brilliant Service”
Family Support Worker
Get in Touch
- Address: Birmingham, UK
- Email: nathalie@vhinterpreting.com
- Phone: 07474 22 31 48
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